REVIEWS / PMPS / CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

Creative Zen X-Fi

08 Sep, 2008, 2:48 pm IST | Shayne Rana | PMPs PMPs

Features and performance
Misc. Features

The interface is as vibrant as before with a few colorful themes, and the ability to use your own images as backgrounds makes it more attractive. But there’s no difference from the previous Zen. The icons are the same and miscellaneous features (like the Sync capabilities for Calendar, Tasks and Contacts list feature in the Organizer with your PC) are also present.

The main differences are the presence of the X-Fi feature with the Crystalizer and Expand option, and an external speaker located on the bottom of the player. This speaker is quite redundant, considering there are mobile phones that offer louder sound. As in the previous model, the player charges via USB.

There’s nothing much I can tell you about the Image Viewer, except that pictures look simply superb. You can set an interval for your slide show and transitions, and play music in the background for effect. Nothing new here, it was as good then as it’s now. It reads JPEG (and BMP/ GIF / PNG / TIFF) formats.

Creative’s new and improved player management software called Creative Centrale is quite flashy but takes a bit of getting used to if you’re a first-time user. The worst part is it takes unusually long to scan your PC or drive for audio. In my case after the installing, removing and reinstalling it kept scanning my Music folder for an indefinite period till I got quite frustrated and simply shut it down and copy-pasted the files on to the drive.

Users can access a memory card from the dedicated menu option provided for the same, which is nothing new either. The problem is, if you’re playing music files, you won’t be able to access the other settings like the EQ or anything else for that matter. So it’s simply playback and nothing more. I wasn't able to access the memory card via the PC when connected via USB. The only drive accessable was the player memory.

Tags: PMP

Would you buy it?




RELATED STORIES

Apple iPod Touch and iPod nano receive minor updates, no changes to the Shuffle or Classic

Apple has stuck to similar designs except for the new iPod Touch.

Sony launches Android-based Walkman Z PMP player

IFA 2011: Sony displays Android-based Walkman

Samsung enhances PMP range with YP-R2 and YP-Z3

Sony NWZ – E363 Walkman

Zebronics Unveils the ZebMate Cinema 3.0+ PMP

Yodigito’s Gadmei P83 Review

 

How We Test

What do the ratings mean?

Ratings are simple - higher the score, the better the product. A brief listing of the features and what they mean are given below.

1 - 3

The product is bad in almost every aspect. We strongly advise against purchasing this product.

4 - 6

An average product that isn't the best you can buy, but isn't the worst either.

7 - 8

Product with this rating is highly recommended because it's priced sensibly, has a good set of features and performs well.

9 - 10

Exceptionally excellent product with features and performance unlike any we've seen in the past. A must-have for everyone!

What is the Average User Rating?

We at Tech2 take product reviewing very seriously and every product is tested with the utmost care and level of objectivity. The end user who buys a particular product and uses it over an extended period of time has his own take on a product and there might be nuances that he or she can shed light on. The Average User Rating is present to help readers get the complete picture of how good or bad a product is. The Average User Rating is calculated by averaging the ratings by the thousands of readers visiting Tech2.com every single day. To record your own rating of a product, simply click on the user rating bar. If you disagree with our ratings or our community's product rating, please don't hesitate from voicing your opinion in the comments section below the review.

Leaked Images, Availability, Pricing,
Specs, Pre-order

How To: Install ICS on your Galaxy S

How To: Install ICS on your Galaxy S

10 Feb, 2012, 05:23 AM

On video: MSI WindPad Enjoy 10

On video: MSI WindPad Enjoy 10

09 Feb, 2012, 04:50 AM

On Video: Mercury mTab Neo

On Video: Mercury mTab Neo

08 Feb, 2012, 10:18 AM

2.8

MORE VIDEOS

features

Apple iPod: One Decade Later

Apple iPod: One Decade Later

Apple celebrated the iPod's 10th birthday recently. Here's a...

By Naina Khedekar

Preview: Cowon D3 Plenue - For Audiophiles and Android Lovers?

Preview: Cowon D3 Plenue - For Audiophiles and Android Lovers?

With Android as it's OS and audio settings to beat the best of the...

By Shayne Rana

The Evolution of Portable Video

The Evolution of Portable Video

Video playback in portable devices has come a long way, undergoing changes

By Ashish Koshy , Sriram Gurunathan

MORE FEATURES

Close

More from this Author

Logitech ZAAG iPad2 Keyboard Case